HENSCHEL HS 129 B-2 NORTH AFRICA

The Henschel Hs129 is a German, twin-engine, single-seat, all-metal attack aircraft in a low wing design with a classic tail from the Second World War. The prototype flight took place on May 25, 1939, serial production started in 1940, but the entry into service took place in 1942. In total, 865 pieces of this very successful aircraft were built. The Hs129 was designed as a ground support aircraft as well as an aircraft designed to destroy enemy armored vehicles. The overall concept was similar to the Il2M3 or the Junkers Ju87G. The plane was therefore very heavily armed (20mm to even 75mm cannons) and heavily armored. During the fighting on the eastern front, Hs.129, together with the Ju-87G, was the main "anti-tank aircraft" of the Luftwaffe, which proved to be very effective. Its only, but a significant disadvantage, was the lack of effective defensive weapons. Three development versions were created: A, B and C, the most important of which are the first two. Version A was powered by two Argus As-410A-0 in-line engines with 430KM each, while version B used two Gnôme-Rhone 14M radial engines with 700KM each. The C version never entered mass production. Technical data (Hs129B version): length: 9.75m, wingspan: 14.2m, height: 3.25m, maximum speed: 407km / h, rate of climb: 8.1m / s, maximum range: 690km, maximum ceiling 9000m armament: fixed - 2 MG131 machine guns caliber 13 mm and 2 cannons MG151 / 20 caliber 20 mm, underslung - up to 300 kg of bombs.